As the days get warmer and the snow melts, you’re once again discovering your lawn. If you’ve avoided placing heavy objects or walking over the grass under the ice during the past winter months, chances are your business or home landscape will spring back anew without any problems.
But it’s important to make sure there are no brown patches that need tending, broken valves, sprinkler heads or pipes that should be replaced, or other repairs to get your irrigation system ready to start working again.
Spring is the perfect time to make changes, update and improve the system you already have or install a new one. We can help you with all of this. We can design an irrigation system that adapts to your needs and fits your budget, or we can retrofit the one you already have, revising it and adding to it to improve coverage and strength.
Irrigation is vital to keep your lawn healthy and lush and you want a system that is efficient, saves you money and covers the entire area, especially if you’re adding to your existing grass area.
De-winterize the system
Before starting to water your green areas, it’s recommended you de-winterize your irrigation system.
Hopefully you winterized the system before the arrival of heavy snow by making sure to clear out all the water inside pipes. This is done by shutting off the water and blowing out fluids with an air compressor.
Now that you’re getting ready to start using your irrigation system, it’s time to flush all the air, debris out of the system.
You should wait until all the freeze is over. March can still have some unpleasant surprises, so it’s best to wait until mid- to late April. If you start using your irrigation system again and a sudden blizzard comes over, the water inside will expand and cause all sorts of problems.
If there is uneven snowmelt on your lawn, you can use a rake to gently spread the moisture evenly throughout the yard.
And since you have the rake in hand, use it to remove fallen limbs, twigs and leaves that may have accumulated over your lawn during the winter. All of this can smother the grass and kill off new growth. But make sure to not step on wet grass, as this may damage it.
It’s best you hire a professional service to de-winterize your irrigation system. Experts may also spot any problems that need attention right away, potentially saving you money and problems down the line.
Our professional staff will turn the system back on, ensuring the timer and stations get adjusted to the proper settings, pipes don’t have any leaks and sprinkler heads are working properly.
Sprinkler heads are particularly susceptible to get clogged and damaged, so make sure to check them and clear them of any gunk before using them.
Start Slowly
Once you turn the irrigation back on, start slowly, allowing the pipes to gradually fill with water. If you open at full blast, high surge pressure may damage main lines and other parts.
Also, it’s best to activate each zone rather than the entire system. This allows you to make sure each water area is working adequately.
If there’s low pressure somewhere, it may be a sign that a pipe or a sprinkler head is clogged or damaged.
Don’t overwater. The snowmelt in the Northeast should keep your grass well-hydrated for the first few weeks of Spring. Waiting until the days get consistently warm also helps the grass roots grow down into the soil as they search for moisture, reinforcing their hold on the ground. Overwatering can also drown sprouting grasses.
A professional irrigation company can properly adjust the amount of water your landscape needs, making sure you don’t waste the liquid and every area of your lawn receives the proper amount it needs.
Also, be aware of mold. If you spot any white or pink spots on your lawn, it’s a sign that mold has taken over those areas, a common problem under heavy snowmelt. If you notice those spots, you can turn to outdoor fungicides that kill the mold and help your grass recover.
You may also reseed areas if you see dead grass patches. Seeding can also help thicken the lawn and make it more resistant to weed infestations.
Additionally, it’s a good idea aerate the soil during Spring. This helps the water and air to reach the roots, helping the lawn grow healthy and stay strong.
Water early in the morning or the evening before the sun rises or after it has set, as this prevents water from evaporating too quickly. If you don’t have it, install a rain sensor to avoid watering when there’s precipitation. This can save you a lot of money and headaches.
Once the warm weather really gets going, you’ll see your grass grow rapidly, so it’s essential you regularly check your lawn to make sure it’s receiving enough water that helps it stay healthy.
The best and easiest way to do this is by hiring a professional irrigation system. Our experts know how to best take care of your lawn, how much water is necessary to make sure to spring back into life after the winter, freeing your time to do the things you really want to do and saving you money by making sure there’s no overwatering or too little of it. It’s an investment that pays off when you enjoy a beautiful, lush and healthy green area that looks its best all-year round.